If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution
This book explains the American Revolution not only as a war for freedom which the American colonies fought against the British, but also as an internal war between the Patriots and the “Tories” or loyalists who were the colonists remaining loyal to King George III. The book describes conditions for people in the colonies just before, during, and immediately after the Revolutionary War. In order to further their cause, Patriots used economic methods such as boycotting goods from England (tea and black cloth, for example) and avoided eating lamb because sheep were needed to supply wool for soldiers’ uniforms.
Economic Concepts
- Choices
- Costs
- Benefits
- Incentives
- Opportunity Costs
- Role of Government
Grade Levels
- Intermediate (4-6)
Related Subjects
- U.S. History
- Government/Civics
Description of Lesson 1, Which to be? Tory or Patriot?
From Adventures in Economic and U.S. History, Volume 2
After students have read about and studied many details about life in the colonies just prior to the Revolutionary War, they apply the principles of the Handy Dandy Guide to explore the choices of people loyal to King George and people who wanted independence.